JP2017117370A - Input device and control method of input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of imparting appropriate vibration to a user even when used in a moving body.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes a vibration element 30, an acquisition unit 5, and an element control unit 14. The vibration element 30 vibrates an operation surface. The acquisition unit 5 acquires information of a travelling state and/or travelling environment of a moving body. The element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 by vibration intensity according to the travelling state and/or the travelling environment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and a method for controlling the input device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an input device that notifies a user that an input has been received by applying vibration. In such an input device, for example, vibration is generated according to the pressing force by the user, thereby informing the user that the input has been accepted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-235614 A

  However, the conventional input device does not consider the environment in which such a device is used. Therefore, for example, when such a device is used in a moving body such as a vehicle, the input device may not be able to give an appropriate vibration to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device and a control method for the input device that can give an appropriate vibration to a user even when used in a moving body. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the input device according to the present embodiment includes a vibration element, an acquisition unit, and an element control unit. The vibration element vibrates the operation surface. The acquisition unit acquires information on the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the moving body. The element control unit vibrates the vibration element with a vibration intensity corresponding to the traveling state and / or the traveling environment.

  According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to give an appropriate vibration to the user even when used in a moving body.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an overview of an input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the outline of the control method of the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of voltage information. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining voltage information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of mode information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by the input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by the input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment information according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by the input device according to the third embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an input device and an input device control method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the case where the moving body is a vehicle will be described. However, the moving body may be a train, an airplane, a bicycle, or the like. Moreover, this invention is not limited by embodiment shown below.

<1. Outline of input device>
First, an outline of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an outline of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an outline of a control method of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that the input device 1 is mounted on a vehicle 100 (not shown), for example, and functions as an input device of the navigation device.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the input device 1 includes an operation surface P and a vibration element 30 that vibrates the operation surface P. The operation surface P is composed of, for example, a panel having a capacitive information input function. When the user contacts the operation surface P with a pointing device such as a finger U or a touch pen, the input device 1 detects the contact position of the user on the operation surface P.

  The vibration element 30 is, for example, a piezoelectric element, and vibrates the operation surface P by vibrating according to an input voltage. For example, when the user's finger U presses the area A illustrated in FIG. 1A, the input device 1 vibrates the vibration element 30. The operation surface P vibrates according to the vibration of the vibration element 30, whereby the input device 1 can give vibration to the user's finger U.

  Here, the input device 1 adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 by adjusting a voltage for driving the vibration element 30 (hereinafter referred to as “drive voltage”). Specifically, when the drive voltage is increased, the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 is increased. On the other hand, when the drive voltage is lowered, the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 is reduced. Since the vibration intensity of the operation surface P changes according to the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30, when the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 increases, the user can easily detect the vibration of the operation surface P.

  Here, the input device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 100 as described above. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle 100 vibrates with movement or the like, the user who rides on the vehicle 100 and the input device 1 itself also vibrate. For this reason, when the input device 1 is operated in the vibrating vehicle 100, it is difficult for the user to detect the vibration of the operation surface P.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the input device 1 acquires information on the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the vehicle 100 and adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 according to the traveling state and traveling environment. As a result, the input device 1 can give an appropriate vibration to the user even when used in a moving body. Here, the traveling state means, for example, a state where the vehicle 100 is traveling or stopped, a state where the vehicle 100 vibrates with traveling, and the like. In addition, the traveling environment means, for example, the condition of the road on which the vehicle 100 travels, the weather during traveling, and the like.

  For example, when the vehicle 100 is stopped, the input device 1 acquires “stop” as the traveling state information. In this case, since the vehicle 100 is not oscillating, the input device 1 adjusts the drive voltage so that the oscillating element 30 oscillates at the oscillation intensity W2 shown in FIG. 1B.

  On the other hand, for example, when the vehicle 100 is traveling, the input device 1 acquires “traveling” as the traveling state information. In this case, since the vehicle 100 vibrates, the input device 1 adjusts the drive voltage so that the vibration element 30 vibrates with the vibration intensity W1 larger than the vibration intensity W2.

  As described above, the input device 1 adjusts the drive voltage so that the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 increases when the vehicle 100 vibrates in accordance with the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the vehicle 100. When the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 increases, the vibration intensity of the operation surface P also increases, so that the user can easily detect the vibration of the operation surface P. Thereby, even when the input device 1 is used in the vehicle 100, it is possible to give an appropriate vibration to the user.

  In addition, since the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 is adjusted according to the drive voltage, the input device 1 adjusts the drive voltage according to the driving state and / or the driving environment, thereby adjusting the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30. It can also be adjusted precisely.

  In addition, although the case where the input device 1 acquires information related to the stop / running of the vehicle 100 as the running state and / or running environment information has been described here, the running state and / or the running environment is not limited thereto. . For example, it may be information relating to a state in which the vehicle 100 is vibrating due to idling or the like, a road pavement condition, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the case where the input device 1 acquires the speed of the vehicle 100 as the traveling state information will be described as the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
<1.1. Configuration Example of Input Device 1>
First, a configuration example of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the input device 1 includes an acquisition unit 5, a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, a vibration element 30, and a panel 31. The input device 1 is connected to a navigation device 101 provided in the vehicle 100 and a vehicle speed sensor 102.

  The navigation device 101 includes a display unit (not shown), and has a navigation function, an audio function, and the like when the driver (user) of the vehicle 100 drives. The navigation device 101 performs a navigation function by displaying an image on a display unit (not shown). Further, the navigation device 101 outputs information about an image to be displayed on the display unit to the input device 1.

  The vehicle speed sensor 102 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 100 and outputs information related to the detected traveling speed (hereinafter referred to as “traveling speed information”) to the input device 1.

<1.1.1. Panel 31>
The panel 31 of the input device 1 has a flat sensor (not shown) such as a touch pad, for example, and includes an operation surface P that receives an input operation such as a contact operation by a user. When the user touches the operation surface P, the panel 31 outputs a sensor value corresponding to the contact position of the user to the control unit 10.

<1.1.2. Vibration Element 30>
The vibration element 30 is a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element. The vibration element 30 vibrates the panel 31 by expanding and contracting according to the drive voltage input from the control unit 10. The vibration element 30 is, for example, an element that ultrasonically vibrates the operation surface P. However, the vibration element 30 may vibrate the operation surface P at a frequency other than ultrasonic waves. The vibration element 30 is disposed so as to contact the panel 31. Note that the number of vibration elements 30 may be one or two or more.

<1.1.3. Acquisition unit 5>
The acquisition unit 5 acquires information on the travel state and / or travel environment of the vehicle 100 from the vehicle speed sensor 102. Here, the acquisition unit 5 acquires the traveling speed information of the vehicle 100 as information on the traveling state and / or the traveling environment. In addition, the acquisition unit 5 acquires image information from the navigation device 101. Then, the acquisition unit 5 outputs the acquired traveling speed information and image information to the control unit 10.

<1.1.4. Control unit 10>
The control unit 10 controls the vibration of the panel 31 by controlling the vibration element 30, for example. The control unit 10 includes a detection unit 11, a voltage setting unit 12, a voltage adjustment unit 13, and an element control unit 14. The control unit 10 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). For example, the CPU functions as the detection unit 11, the voltage setting unit 12, the voltage adjustment unit 13, and the element control unit 14 by performing arithmetic processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM.

<1.1.4.1. Detection unit 11>
The detection unit 11 detects the contact position of the user with respect to the operation surface P based on the sensor value input from the panel 31, and generates information regarding the detected contact position (hereinafter referred to as “contact position information”). . The detection unit 11 outputs the generated contact position information to the voltage setting unit 12 and the navigation device 101.

  Moreover, the detection part 11 detects the contact position of a user's finger | toe U with a predetermined period, for example. Thereby, even when the finger U moves on the operation surface P and the contact position changes, the detection unit 11 can detect the contact position following the change.

<1.1.4.2. Voltage Setting Unit 12>
The voltage setting unit 12 sets a driving voltage corresponding to the contact position of the user on the operation surface P. That is, the voltage setting unit 12 of the control unit 10 sets the drive voltage so that the vibration element 30 vibrates with the vibration intensity according to the contact position of the user. For example, the voltage setting unit 12 sets the drive voltage so as to vibrate with different vibration intensities in a predetermined area A1 and area A2 (see FIG. 3B) of the operation surface P.

  Specifically, the voltage setting unit 12 sets the drive voltage based on, for example, the contact position information input from the detection unit 11 and the voltage information 21 stored in advance in the storage unit 20. Here, the voltage information 21 is information in which predetermined areas A1 and A2 of the operation surface P are associated with the driving voltage, and is determined according to an image or the like displayed on the display unit of the navigation device 101, for example. It is assumed to be information.

  A specific example of the voltage information 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of the voltage information 21. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the voltage information 21. As shown in FIG. 3A, the voltage information 21 is information that associates the “contact area” with the “drive voltage”.

  The “contact area” refers to a predetermined area on the operation surface P such as areas A1 and A2 (see FIG. 3B) and an area indicated as “others” in FIG. 3A (for example, areas excluding areas A1 and A2 in FIG. 3B). It is shown. “Drive voltage” is a drive voltage corresponding to “contact region”. In the example of FIG. 3A, “X”, “Y”, and “Z” are set as “drive voltage” corresponding to “region A1”, “region A2”, and “other”, respectively.

  Based on the contact position information input from the detection unit 11, the voltage setting unit 12 collates which region of the “contact region” of the voltage information 21 includes the contact position on the operation surface P, and corresponds to the collated region. The value of “driving voltage” to be output is output to the voltage adjustment unit 13.

  As described above, the voltage setting unit 12 changes the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 according to the contact area, so that the user can recognize which area of the operation surface P is touched.

<1.1.4.3. Voltage adjustment unit 13>
The voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the drive voltage set by the voltage setting unit 12 so that the vibration element 30 vibrates with a vibration intensity corresponding to the traveling state and / or the traveling environment. Here, the driving voltage is adjusted using the traveling speed of the vehicle 100 as information on the traveling state and / or the traveling environment. Specifically, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the drive voltage set by the voltage setting unit 12 based on, for example, travel speed information input from the vehicle speed sensor 102 and adjustment information 22 stored in the storage unit 20.

  Here, the adjustment information 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment information 22 according to the first embodiment. The adjustment information 22 is information that associates the adjustment value of the drive voltage with the traveling speed of the vehicle 100. For example, the adjustment information 22 is a function indicating the relationship between the adjustment value and the traveling speed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the adjustment information 22 is a function C1 in which the adjustment value increases as the traveling speed increases, that is, the adjustment value and the traveling speed are in a proportional relationship. In FIG. 4, the “ordinate” indicates “adjustment value” and the abscissa indicates “travel speed”. Voltage adjustment unit 13 changes the adjustment value according to the current traveling speed of vehicle 100.

  Specifically, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the drive voltage by adding a value corresponding to the adjustment value to the drive voltage. For example, when the adjustment value in FIG. 4 is “1”, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adds “0.5” volts to the drive voltage, and when the adjustment value is “2”, the drive voltage Add “1” volts to That is, the value Vd that the voltage adjustment unit 13 adds to the drive voltage is Vd = 0.5 × (adjustment value).

  The voltage adjustment unit 13 outputs the value of the drive voltage after the addition to the element control unit 14. Here, in the above-described example, when the adjustment value is “0”, for example, the value Vd to be added is also “0”. That is, for example, when the vehicle 100 is stopped, that is, when the traveling speed is “0”, the value Vd to be added is “0”.

  This is because vibration (hereinafter referred to as “road noise”) occurs between the vehicle 100 and the road surface while the vehicle 100 is traveling, but such road noise does not occur when the vehicle 100 is stopped. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 is stopped, the influence of the vibration of the vehicle 100 is so small that it can be neglected. Therefore, in such a case, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adds the value Vd “0” to be added to the drive voltage, that is, does not adjust the drive voltage. Thereby, the element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with the driving voltage set by the voltage setting unit 12.

  Note that the adjustment value when the vehicle 100 is stopped does not necessarily have to be “0”. This is because the vibration of the vehicle 100 may not be neglected depending on the vehicle type even when the vehicle 100 is stopped, for example, when idling.

  Further, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the adjustment value so that the adjustment value increases, that is, the drive voltage increases as the traveling speed of the vehicle 100 increases. This is because the vehicle 100 is more susceptible to road noise as the traveling speed increases, and the vibration of the vehicle 100 increases.

  Thus, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the driving voltage of the vibration element 30 to be higher as the traveling speed is higher and the vibration of the vehicle 100 is larger. Thus, the higher the traveling speed, the greater the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 and the vibration intensity of the operation surface P. Therefore, the input device 1 can give an appropriate vibration to the user even when used in a moving body.

  Note that the relationship between the adjustment value and the traveling speed is not limited to the above-described example. For example, an optimal relationship is derived by an experiment or the like according to the installation position of the input device 1 in the vehicle 100 or the vehicle type of the vehicle 100. It can set so that it may become such a derived relationship. In addition, the adjustment method of the drive voltage with respect to the adjustment value of the voltage adjustment unit 13 is not limited to the above-described addition method, and the adjustment may be performed by using multiplication, subtraction, division, or a function combining them. Moreover, you may decide to use the table | surface which shows the relationship between an adjustment value and traveling speed as the adjustment information 22. FIG.

  The voltage adjustment unit 13 may adjust the drive voltage in a state where the user does not touch the operation surface P with the finger U, that is, in a state where the detection unit 11 does not detect the contact position. In other words, the voltage adjustment unit 13 may not adjust the drive voltage while the user is touching the operation surface P with the finger U.

  This is because, for example, when the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the driving voltage of the vibration element 30 while the user touches the operation surface P with the finger U, for example, the user feels a strange change in the vibration intensity of the operation surface P. This is because there is a risk of feeling. Therefore, the voltage adjustment unit 13 can prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable by adjusting the drive voltage in a state where the user does not touch the operation surface P.

  Further, the voltage adjustment unit 13 may adjust the drive voltage in accordance with the amount of change in travel speed within a predetermined period. For example, the voltage adjustment unit 13 calculates the amount of change in travel speed in a predetermined cycle, and adjusts the drive voltage to be higher when the amount of change in travel speed in the predetermined cycle exceeds a predetermined threshold. It may be. Accordingly, when the vehicle 100 vibrates due to sudden acceleration or sudden braking regardless of the current traveling speed of the vehicle 100, the vibration intensity of the operation surface P increases. Can be given.

  Furthermore, the voltage adjustment unit 13 may adjust the drive voltage based on a sensor value of a steering angle sensor (not shown) of the vehicle 100. For example, the voltage adjustment unit 13 calculates a change amount of the sensor value of the rudder angle sensor at a predetermined cycle, and when the calculated change amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, that is, the vehicle 100 travels with a sharp handle. In this case, the drive voltage may be adjusted to be high.

  By the way, since the pressing force of the operation surface P, the thickness of the skin of the finger U, and the like are different for each user, the sensitivity of vibration may be different for each user. Therefore, there is a possibility that an appropriate vibration cannot be detected by a user only by adjusting the drive voltage according to the traveling speed of the vehicle 100.

  Therefore, the adjustment rate of the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 may be changed for each user. Specifically, the input device 1 has a plurality of modes with different adjustment rates of the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the input device 1 and selects such a mode, the adjustment rate is changed for each user. In this case, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the drive voltage with an adjustment rate corresponding to the selected mode.

  Here, the adjustment rate corresponds to the slope (amplification factor) of the function C1, which is the adjustment information 22 shown in FIG. The voltage adjustment unit 13 changes the adjustment rate of the drive voltage by changing the slope of the function that is the adjustment information 22 according to the mode selected by the user. Note that information in which a mode and a function corresponding to the mode are associated is stored in the storage unit 20 as mode information 23.

  Here, the mode information 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the mode information 23. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, it is assumed that there are three modes of “strong”, “medium”, and “weak”.

  When the mode is “medium”, the voltage adjustment unit 13 selects the function C1. Here, it is assumed that the function C1 is the same information as the function C1 shown in FIG. In addition, when the mode selected by the user is “strong”, the voltage adjustment unit 13 selects the function C2. Here, it is assumed that the function C2 is a function having an adjustment rate, that is, a larger gradient than the function C1 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the user selects “strong” as the mode, even if the vehicle 100 is traveling at the same traveling speed, the voltage adjustment unit 13 sets the drive voltage with a higher adjustment value than when the mode is “medium”. Will be adjusted.

  The voltage adjustment unit 13 selects the function C3 when the mode selected by the user is “weak”. Here, it is assumed that the function C3 is a function having an adjustment rate, that is, a slope smaller than those of the functions C1 and C2. Therefore, when the user selects “weak” as the mode, even if the vehicle 100 is traveling at the same traveling speed, the voltage adjustment unit 13 is driven with a lower adjustment value than when the mode is “strong” or “medium”. The voltage will be adjusted.

  In this way, the voltage adjustment unit 13 adjusts the drive voltage at an adjustment rate according to the mode selected by the user. Thereby, the user can set the vibration intensity of the operation surface P according to the user's own detection sensitivity and preference. Note that the mode information 23 is not limited to three modes, and may be two or four or more. Furthermore, the voltage adjustment unit 13 may use a different function in addition to the gradient for each mode.

<1.1.4.4. Element Control Unit 14>
The element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with a vibration intensity corresponding to the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the vehicle 100. Specifically, the element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with the voltage value of the drive voltage adjusted by the voltage adjustment unit 13 according to the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the vehicle 100.

<1.1.5. Storage unit 20>
The storage unit 20 stores, for example, the above-described voltage information 21, adjustment information 22, and mode information 23 as information necessary for processing performed by the voltage setting unit 12 and the voltage adjustment unit 13, and stores various processing results. The storage unit 20 is a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

<1.2. Control processing>
Next, a processing procedure executed by the input device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the input apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a process repeatedly executed by the control unit 10 of the input apparatus 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, first, when the detection unit 11 of the control unit 10 detects contact with the operation surface P (step S101), the voltage setting unit 12 then drives the vibration element 30 based on the contact. A voltage is set (step S102).

  Subsequently, the voltage adjustment unit 13 acquires the current travel speed information of the vehicle 100 via the acquisition unit 5 and the voltage setting unit 12 (step S103). And the voltage adjustment part 13 adjusts a drive voltage based on driving speed information (step S104). The element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with the drive voltage adjusted by the voltage adjustment unit 13 (step S105). That is, the element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with a vibration intensity corresponding to the traveling speed.

  As described above, the input device 1 according to the first embodiment includes the vibration element 30, the acquisition unit 5, and the element control unit 14. The vibration element 30 vibrates the operation surface P. The acquisition unit 5 acquires information on the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the moving body. The element control unit 14 vibrates the vibration element 30 with a vibration intensity according to the traveling state and / or the traveling environment.

  Therefore, according to the input device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, even if it is a case where it uses in a moving body, an appropriate vibration can be given to a user. Further, in the input device 1 according to the first embodiment, by adjusting the driving voltage using the vehicle speed sensor 102 provided in the vehicle 100, it is not necessary to separately install a sensor or the like, and the installation cost is reduced. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the input device 1 adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 according to the traveling speed as information on the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the vehicle 100 has been described. The vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 can also be adjusted depending on the traveling state other than the traveling speed and the traveling environment.

  Therefore, hereinafter, as another embodiment, a case will be described in which the input device 1 adjusts the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 depending on a traveling state other than the traveling speed and a traveling environment. In the following description, parts that are the same as those already described are given the same reference numerals as those already described, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
First, as a second embodiment, a case will be described in which the input device 2 acquires vibration state information associated with the traveling state of the vehicle 100 as traveling state information, and causes the vibration element 30 to vibrate with vibration intensity corresponding to the information. To do.

<2.1. Configuration example of input device 2>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment information 22B according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the input device 2 according to the second embodiment, an acceleration sensor 103 is connected instead of the speed sensor 102 connected to the input device 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the case where the acceleration sensor 103 is not included in the input device 2 is illustrated, but the acceleration sensor 103 may be included in the input device 2.

  The acceleration sensor 103 is a triaxial acceleration sensor, for example, and detects vibrations of the vehicle 100 in the vertical and horizontal directions. When detecting the vibration, the acceleration sensor 103 outputs a sensor value corresponding to the vibration direction and vibration intensity to the input device 2.

<2.1.1. Voltage adjustment unit 13B>
When the sensor value is input from the acceleration sensor 103 via the acquisition unit 5 and the voltage setting unit 12, the voltage adjustment unit 13B of the input device 2 adjusts the drive voltage based on the sensor value. Specifically, voltage adjustment unit 13B calculates the amplitude of vibration of vehicle 100 from the sensor value, and adjusts the drive voltage based on the amplitude and adjustment information 22B stored in storage unit 20. Here, the adjustment information 22B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the adjustment information 22B according to the second embodiment.

  The adjustment information 22 </ b> B is information in which the adjustment value of the drive voltage is associated with the vibration amplitude of the vehicle 100. For example, the adjustment information 22 </ b> B is a function indicating the relationship between the adjustment value of the drive voltage and the amplitude of vibration of the vehicle 100. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the adjustment information 22 </ b> B is a function C <b> 4 in which the adjustment value increases as the amplitude of the vehicle 100 increases, that is, the adjustment value and the amplitude of the vehicle 100 are in a proportional relationship.

  Here, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> B adjusts so that the adjustment value of the drive voltage increases as the amplitude of vibration of the vehicle 100 increases. This is because, as described above, when the vibration amplitude of the vehicle 100 is large, it is difficult for the user to detect the vibration of the operation surface P based on the vibration of the vibration element 30.

  As described above, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> B adjusts the drive voltage so that the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 increases as the vibration amplitude of the vehicle 100 increases in accordance with the vibration amplitude of the vehicle 100. When the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 increases, the vibration intensity of the operation surface P increases, so that the user can easily detect the vibration of the operation surface P.

  The voltage adjustment unit 13B may perform a process of adjusting the drive voltage for each vibration direction of the vehicle 100 from the sensor value input from the acceleration sensor 103, or may be driven based on the sum of vibrations in each vibration direction. You may perform the process which adjusts a voltage.

  Further, the voltage adjustment unit 13B can calculate the vibration frequency of the vibration of the vehicle 100 from the sensor value input from the acceleration sensor 103, and can adjust the drive voltage based on the vibration frequency.

  For example, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> B adjusts the drive voltage to be higher when the calculated vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 approaches the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30. Specifically, when the vibration element 30 vibrates in the ultrasonic region, the drive voltage is increased as the vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 is higher. On the other hand, when the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30 is in the low frequency region, the drive voltage is increased as the vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 is lower.

  For example, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> B adjusts the drive voltage so that the calculated vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 is closer to the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30. For example, when the vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 is included in a predetermined range including the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30, the drive voltage is adjusted to be larger than that in a case where the vibration frequency is not included in the range. Or you may make it adjust so that a drive voltage may become large, so that the absolute value of the difference of the vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 and the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30 is small.

  This is because when the vibration frequency of the vibration element 30 and the vibration frequency of the vehicle 100 are close to each other, the vibrations of the two easily interfere with each other. In this case, it becomes difficult for the user to detect the vibration of the operation surface P based on the vibration of the vibration element 30. Therefore, by increasing the drive voltage of the vibration element 30 according to the vibration frequency, the vibration intensity of the operation surface P is also increased, and the user can easily detect the vibration of the operation surface P. Good.

<2.2. Control processing>
Subsequently, a processing procedure executed by the input device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the input apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment, and is a process repeatedly executed by the control unit 10 of the input apparatus 2. Since the processing procedure shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 except for step S201, the description of the overlapping procedure is omitted.

  The voltage toning unit 13B of the input device 2 acquires the sensor value of the acceleration sensor 103 via the acquisition unit 5 and the voltage setting unit 12 (step S201). Thereafter, the voltage adjustment unit 13B calculates the amplitude of vibration of the vehicle 100 based on the sensor value, and adjusts the drive voltage based on the amplitude.

  As described above, the input device 2 according to the second embodiment adjusts the drive voltage of the vibration element 30 based on the sensor value of the acceleration sensor 103. As a result, the voltage adjustment unit 13B can adjust the driving voltage that accurately reflects the vibration state of the vehicle 100, so that the input device 2 can give the user optimum vibration.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, as a third embodiment, the input device 3 acquires the road condition on which the vehicle 100 travels as travel environment information and the weather during travel, and vibrates the vibration element 30 with the vibration intensity corresponding to the information. The case where it is made to explain is demonstrated.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment information 22C according to the third embodiment.

<3.1. Configuration Example of Input Device 3>
As shown in FIG. 10, the input device 3 according to the third embodiment is connected to the speed sensor 102 connected to the input device 1 according to the first embodiment and the input device 2 according to the second embodiment. Instead of being connected to the acceleration sensor 103, information on the traveling environment of the vehicle 100 is acquired from the navigation device 101.

  The navigation device 101 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 101A, a map database 101B, and a camera 101C. The GPS receiver 101A receives a radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite by a GPS antenna (not shown), and positions the current location of the vehicle 100 based on the received radio wave.

  The map database 101B is a database that stores map data around the vehicle 100. In the map database 101B, for example, road information is stored in association with the map data. Such road information is classified into general roads, highways, private roads, mountain roads, and the like. In addition, the road information includes information related to such road undulations and bridges.

  The navigation device 101 determines road information of the current location of the vehicle 100 from the map database 101B, and outputs the determined road information to the input device 3.

  The camera 101 </ b> C is, for example, an imaging device that images the front direction of the vehicle 100. A captured image captured by the camera 101 </ b> C is input to the input device 3.

<3.1.1. Voltage Adjustment Unit 13C>
When the road information is input from the navigation device 101, the voltage adjustment unit 13C of the input device 3 adjusts the drive voltage based on the road information and the adjustment information 22C stored in the storage unit 20. Here, the adjustment information 22C will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment information 22C according to the third embodiment.

  The adjustment information 22C is information in which an adjustment value to be added to the drive voltage is associated with “road information”. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the adjustment information 22C is a table showing the relationship between the adjustment value of the drive voltage and the road information. The voltage adjustment unit 13C sets the adjustment value of the drive voltage to “1” when the road on which the vehicle 100 travels is “general road / highway”.

  Similarly, the voltage adjustment unit 13C sets the adjustment value to “3” when the road information is “private road / mountain road”, and sets the adjustment value to “4” when the road information is “crossing”. In this manner, the voltage adjustment unit 13C sets the adjustment value higher than that of the “general road / highway” when the road information is “private road / mountain road” or “crossing”.

  This is because, on mountain roads and private roads, the pavement of the road surface lacks flatness, stones, trees, etc. are dropped, so that the vehicle 100 often vibrates when traveling. Further, since the vehicle 100 vibrates due to the level difference of the track when passing through the railroad crossing, the adjustment value is set to be high also in the case of the railroad crossing.

  In addition, when the vehicle 100 passes through a bridge or a slope, the voltage adjustment unit 13C may set a high adjustment value when entering the bridge or the slope. This is because the bridge seam often has a step, and the vehicle 100 vibrates due to the step. Further, when the vehicle enters a slope, the vehicle 100 vibrates due to the change in the inclination of the vehicle 100 with respect to the traveling direction.

  Thus, the voltage adjustment unit 13C sets the adjustment value of the drive voltage based on the road information on which the vehicle 100 travels. Thereby, the input device 3 can give an appropriate vibration to the user according to the road on which the vehicle 100 travels.

  Further, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> C can adjust the drive voltage according to the road surface condition on which the vehicle 100 travels. In this case, the voltage adjustment unit 13C includes, for example, a road surface state detection unit (not shown). The road surface state detection unit detects unevenness on the road surface in front of the vehicle 100, that is, the road surface on which the vehicle 100 is scheduled to travel, from the captured image input from the camera 101C. The voltage adjustment unit 13C adjusts the drive voltage based on information that associates the road surface result with the adjustment value.

  For example, as a result of the detection by the road surface state detection unit, when the road surface is large or uneven, or when there are many unevennesses, a smaller adjustment value is associated with when the unevenness is small or small. As a result, the voltage adjustment unit 13C adjusts the drive voltage to be large when the road surface is large or uneven as a result of the detection of the road surface. This is because the vehicle 100 is easily subjected to road noise when the road surface is large or uneven, or when the road surface is uneven.

  Therefore, the voltage adjustment unit 13C adjusts the driving voltage according to the unevenness of the road surface on which the vehicle 100 travels, thereby increasing the vibration strength of the operation surface P when the vehicle 100 vibrates due to road noise. . Thereby, the input device 3 can give an appropriate vibration to the user.

  Furthermore, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> C may adjust the drive voltage according to the weather of the current location of the vehicle 100. In this case, for example, it is assumed that the navigation apparatus 101 can acquire weather information on the current location of the vehicle 100 via a network such as the Internet. Then, the voltage adjustment unit 13C may acquire such weather information and adjust the driving voltage based on the weather information.

  For example, the voltage adjustment unit 13 </ b> C increases the drive voltage when a strong wind warning is issued at the current location of the vehicle 100. This is because the vehicle 100 may be shaken by a strong wind. Thus, since the input device 3 can adjust the drive voltage depending on the weather, it is possible to give an appropriate vibration to the user in accordance with the weather of the current location of the vehicle 100. The voltage adjustment unit 13C may set an adjustment value of the drive voltage according to the weather at the current location of the vehicle 100, that is, sunny, rainy, cloudy, snow, or the like.

  As described above, the input device 3 according to the third embodiment acquires information on the traveling environment of the vehicle 100 from the navigation device 101 and adjusts the driving voltage based on the traveling environment. Therefore, the input device 3 can predict the vibration of the vehicle 100 and adjust the drive voltage in accordance with the predicted vibration.

<3.2. Control processing>
Subsequently, a processing procedure executed by the input device 3 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by the input device 3 according to the third embodiment, and is a process repeatedly executed by the control unit 10 of the input device 3. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 except for step S301, and thus description of the overlapping procedure is omitted.

  The voltage adjustment unit 13C of the input device 3 acquires road information from the navigation device 101 via the acquisition unit 5 and the voltage setting unit 12 (step S301). Thereafter, the voltage adjusting unit 13C adjusts the driving voltage based on the road information.

  As described above, the input device 3 according to the third embodiment acquires the traveling environment of the vehicle 100 from the navigation device 101, for example, and adjusts the driving voltage of the vibration element 30 based on the traveling environment. Thereby, the input device 3 can predict the vibration of the vehicle 100 in advance and adjust the drive voltage according to the predicted vibration.

<4. Other variations>
The input device 1 may adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 by combining the embodiments described above. In this case, the input devices 1 to 3 acquire information on the traveling state and traveling environment of the moving body, and vibrate the vibration element 30 with a vibration intensity corresponding to the traveling state and traveling environment. In this case, the traveling state and the traveling environment mean traveling speed, vibration, road information, road surface unevenness, weather, and the like. Thereby, since the input devices 1 to 3 vibrate the vibration element 30 with a more optimal vibration intensity, it is possible to give an appropriate vibration to the user even when used in the moving body.

  Although the input devices 1 to 3 illustrate the case where the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 is adjusted by adjusting the voltage value of the drive voltage, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the input devices 1 to 3 may adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 by adjusting the duty ratio, frequency, or amplitude of the drive voltage that drives the vibration element 30. Furthermore, when the power of the vibration element 30 is other energy, the input devices 1 to 3 may adjust the vibration intensity of the vibration element 30 by adjusting the other energy.

  Moreover, although embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the case where the input devices 1-3 were connected to the navigation apparatus 101, it is not restricted to this. For example, the input devices 1 to 3 can be connected to a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, although the case where the input devices 1-3 were the structures which are not provided with a display part was illustrated, the input devices 1-3 are comprised with a touchscreen display, and the input devices 1-3 have a display part. It is good also as a structure to have.

  In addition, the input devices 1 to 3 may be applied to a portable terminal device. In such a case, the input devices 1 to 3 may transmit information on the traveling state and / or traveling environment of the moving body on which the user is boarded. (For example, the navigation device 101) may be acquired via a network, or the terminal device includes the acceleration sensor 103 and the GPS receiver 101A, and the traveling state of the vehicle 100 is acquired using such a sensor or the like. You may decide. In this case, for example, the control unit 10 of the input devices 1 to 3 can calculate the moving speed of the moving body from the transition of the current location measured by the GPS receiver 101A.

  Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Thus, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1-3 Input device 5 Acquisition unit 10 Control unit 11 Detection unit 12 Voltage setting unit 13 Voltage adjustment unit 14 Element control unit 30 Vibration element 31 Panel P Operation surface

Claims (8)

A vibration element that vibrates the operation surface;
An acquisition unit that acquires information on a traveling state and / or a traveling environment of the moving object;
An input device comprising: an element control unit configured to vibrate the vibration element with a vibration intensity according to the traveling state and / or the traveling environment. The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is controlled by adjusting a driving voltage of the vibration element. The running state is
Including the moving speed of the moving body,
The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is increased as the moving speed is faster. The running state is
Including vibration of the moving body that occurs during travel,
The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is adjusted according to an amplitude of vibration of the moving body. The running state is
Including vibration of the moving body that occurs during travel,
The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is adjusted according to a vibration frequency of vibration of the moving body. The driving environment is
Including road information on which the moving body travels,
The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is adjusted based on the road information. A plurality of modes for changing the adjustment rate of the vibration intensity;
The element controller is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration intensity is adjusted with the adjustment rate corresponding to the mode selected by a user. An acquisition step of acquiring information on a traveling state and / or a traveling environment of the moving object;
An element control step of vibrating a vibration element that vibrates an operation surface with a vibration intensity according to the traveling state and / or the traveling environment.

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